Regarding the new edition of "Richmond Redeemed" . . .

Follow by Email

Search This Blog

Loading...

Publishing--An Inside Perspective

Thoughts, musings, observations, practical advice, and not-so-gentle chidings from an inside perspective gleaned after years of managing an independent publishing company. (Note: as a rule, I will not be responding to indvidual posts.)

This fascinating article appeared in my email a few days ago, and I thought it was worth sharing with readers and publishers alike. Enjoy. -...

Writing/Publishing Consultation

Whether you are in the manuscript development stage, plan to self-publish, or are publishing with another company, contact me if you need professional assistance on any aspect of the publishing process, marketing issues, and promoting/branding yourself as a writer. Email

2 comments:

Interesting observation Tom. When people asked Shelby Foote why he didn't footnote he would supposedly reply, "Because the facts don't always equal the truth." He would elaborate that it might be a fact that Johnny Reb wrote to his mother the day after a battle that they had just whipped the Yanks, but it might not be the truth that Yanks got whipped.

In nonfiction literature I think "the truth" is:

1) The author disclosing that he/she is expressing an opinion that is indeed an opinion,

2) Ensuring, to the best of his/her ability, that primary source evidence is credible, and if possible corroborated, especially on substantive matters, and

3) Do not "cherry pick" historical records, revealing what he/she likes, and concealing credible evidence that runs counter to a theme or bias.

These three things would be a good place to start with defining "truth" in historiography and nonfiction literature.